Recoil and run-out apparatus for ordnance



Dot. 2, 1928.

, 1,685,910 A. T. DAWSON ET-AL RECOIL AND RUN-OUT APPARATUS FOR ORDNANCE 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed July 2, 1927 I A. 'r. DAWSON El AL 1 RECOIL AND RUN-OUT APPARATUS FOR ORDNANCE Filed July 2, 1927 2 Sheets-Shet 2 ARTHUR TREVOR DAWSON AND DON, ENG-LAND, A SS IGNORS TO VICKE RS LJ ZM I TED OE Patented Oct. 2, 1928. v 1' ENGLAND.

GEORGE THMAS2Ll3UCKHAM, or WESTMINSTERIYIQQN-Y BROADWAY, WESTMINSTER,

, RECOIL AND Runour APPARATUS For; ORDNAN'CQE.

l I .Application filed hi a, '1927, Serial Ito. 203,;35, and 111 reat Britain September 10,1926.

p This. invention relates to ordnance recoil and run-out apparatus employing a p-neu =matic recuperatorthe interior of which, does not communicate with the interior vof the recoil; or brake cylinder, thatis to say there is no transfer of'liquid from the recoil'or brake cylinder to the recup'erator cylinder duringthe recoilof the gun. The inventionfis particularly intended for use "with a short/gun barrel having a long recoil in relation to the length of the barrel and the chiefobject is t'o'lreduce as far; as possible the overall length of the "recoil and run-out apparatus so that; it will not materially exceed the length of the ,said short barrel. I Accordingto the presentinvention the air win'therecuperator cylinder "is compressed by a piston during-the recoil of the gun andthe rod of this piston'is made of large diameter and hollow to form a reservoir'of the required volume to. store'the compressed air,

theair from the recuperatorcylinderfpassingto' the interiorof the hollow piston rod 7 during the recoil. o fthe gun and; returning to the reouperator cylinder atthe end of-the recoil so as to act upon the piston andielfect the run-out of the un. A spring-controlled valve maybe provided between the recuperator cylinder and the interior of the hollow piston rod't'opermit free flow of air intothe;

latter during recoil ,andthis valve "is so formed as topermit thelair' to return" rela- 1 ti'vely slowly, from the interior of the hollow piston Irodf to the: recuperator cylinder {so as toprev'e'nt too quick a; run-out movement of the i v p a L ,The, rectiperator;piston carries a g'la nd;

andin order to prevent leakage of airpa's't short conduit need be provided for the pas- Jb sage of the liquid from this intensifying oyl this 'glan d it is maintained tightfby liquid under pressure derived/from an intensifying cylinder formed inthe rear end of the piston rod close to the piston so" thatonly a inde'r to the gland under the influence of a difierentialpiston the larger faceof which 'is in'communication'with-the air in thef'ref cuperator cylinder.

The recuperator cylinder is preferably formed in 1avforging or casting (herein termed the reouperator'bodylwhich is jalso formed with the recoil-or brake cylinder.

d this recuperatorbody 'may be provided a F gure with anupwardlyextending piece constituting athrust member against-which the rear surface of the breech ring bears. The

latter is secured to the said upwardly extending piece and the front partof the barrel may be Provided with a ing d rest; Y

portion of the l'v ing'on the body' between upwardly extending lug'sanda forward arranged at'.a higher level'than the main part, and'the front part of the barrel is prevented "from lifting and' rnoving' side;- wvays bypinsv which pass through" the upwardly extending'lugs on" the body and through the ring or band onthe municating liquid; replenishing cylinders I which are arranged side byside and oneqof barrelfand which fit in holes in the said forwardpor;

which communicatesf with the 'rear end of the recoil or brake cylinder, This portion mayalso be formed: with an intensifying cylinder arranged alongside oinder having a differential piston supplying perator piston rodfpasses, at a higher pres sure than the air iii the 'recuperator'. cyle In order-that the vsaid inventionmaybe clearly understood-and readily carried into I e of the re-- plenishing cylinders; this intensifying 'cyl;

Bl p I I liquid to a gland, through which the recueffect, the "same will now' be described more I fully 'wi th freference ytofthe accompany ing Y drawings, in Which:--- v i F gurell is' 'a'l sectional side elevationof ja. 7 1

gun provided withrecoil. and run-outap: i

p'aratus in accordance with this invention,

FigureQis a front view of Figure 1 with theparts at thefront ends of the recuperatfor ody removed,

onf'the line-8. ,3; of Figure .1-.,

\ Figure 4 isa looalfsectiontaken approkia. V I

U r '5 isaseetioi jtakenapproximately on the line 5,5 of Figure 1; and1viewed from 'mately on the line 4 4" of Figure 1; and

the front of the latter figure.

is, the gun barrel, A is the breech ring thereof, Bis the' gun cradle C is "the recu- Figure 3/is a section taken 1 pproximately formed in this body, -D is the rec-uperator piston, D 'is the hollow recuperator piston rod, D is the valve controlling the passage ofthecompressed air-to and from the inte-' "rior of the hollow piston rod, D is the gland on the piston D ,:D is the intensifyingoylinder for the gland D, D is the differential area piston working in the cylinder D E is the recoil or brake cylin der E is the piston working in the cylinder and is the rod;

v of the piston E In the example shewn the recuperator body C .is in the form of a casting or forgtending lugs C yCtanda forward portion ing. of substantially rectangular cross-section with the recuperator cylinder D and the recoil- 'or brake cylinder -E formed" therein v alongside one another. Thisv body is an rangedto slide in the gun cradle B upon cornerguides B .B -carried by the gun cradle" asshewn in Figure 2 and has anupwardly' extending piece C" constituting a thrust member} against which the rear surface of the breech ring A bears. The 'sald piece C is secured by studs C to the breech ring-A and'the front part of the barrel}; is provided with a ring orlband AF-whieh rests on the body-C between upwardly ex C? of the body C which portion is arranged A, the said pins fitting in holes in: the forward portion C5'of the body C anclbeing held inplaceby split pins or other suitable means.

The front end ot' the recuperator piston rod D and the tront lend' ofthe recoil'or brake pistongrod E are'connected to the' front cap 13 M the giin cradle andthe recoil cylinder is replenished with liquid from two inter-communicating' cylinders CF, C

fishing rece tacles. The one; cylinder o w ng cyhn der has a filling plug C??? and the i'nner 'cylin- ,der Clcomm'unieates withthe rjeeo'ilor brake qcylinder E by means lot a pipe C 'comrnuni- "eating with a passage 07"" leading tethe rear 'endof the said cylinder Thefsaid; portion C? is also formed with. an intensify G to receive a differential area1 piston C. i The "front" ,part-of-the'cylinder' G contains liquid and; communicates by a short hole, G with a gland ID? for; the re V cuperator' piston-rod*Dt, and the rear part ;of this cylinder communicatesby "another sho rt h ole' C? With -the'interior of the re-. qup eratorlcylinder' D. The front end of'the greguperzatqr, tgn rod-D is provided with' a'sctew-do'v'vii valve D and with a plug fie-removed. when it is required ing atlsuch times opened and' beingclosed when the charging or' re-charging'operationis completed. V V

The recuperator piston rod Di'isnia'de of large diameten (nearlya's large asthe piston D and is hollowed out through practically its full length soas toform a reservoir of large volume to store the compressed air. e The valve-D 'nearthe rear end ofthe rod D is normally held on its seat by a spring I to charge ;,or recharge the recuperator cyl- I lnder w thcompressed air the valve D be- D and 'controls'a passage D? communicating ibyholes: D fwith the 'r ecuperjator cyl inder'D in front of the piston D The said valve opens under theinflnence'jof them; .i creased 'air pressure generatedin the cyl; I ind'er D by; the movementofthis cylinder relatively 'to the piston "D on recoilof [the gun, and consequentlyra' portion of the air from the said cylinder'entersthe' interior 7 of the-hollow piston rod D vthroughfthe' 5 holes D and the passage -D.

for-m tr al lolw' the compressed air to re} The said 7 valve 1S formed w th onejor more-small turn relatively slojwlylfrom 'the 'inte rio1' off the-hollow piston rod D? tovassist ineffect-'1 ing the run-out ofthe gun b'ut at the same time preventing; tooilquick a runout move fment. The return of the an takes placeby Y O QPaSSage D 'andithe; holes D" through which the air' enters the interior 'ofthe hollow piston: rod as aforesaid' The i final portion of the run-out movement-1 may be'reta'rded by the usual retarding r'am'E? which enters an axial recess E, formed in the "recoil or brake piston rod E The (llfj ferential fareafpi'ston D is arranged inthe intensifying cylinder Di ito othef rearjof the valve D? and its front or larger face is'actedl upon bythe compressed air ffronrthe recu perator: cylinder D, the air having access to this face through the above-mentioned holes g D lThe rearpart of thecylinderf filled; which-are forme'din the forward portion G I Y of the body C and-which constitutereplenf with which communicates by holes" D{ with the glandD? carried by the recuperator piston D The said liquid is thus forced into i the 1 g an a'lh gh i p u' e tha I the compressed air {in the cylinder D. L A

charging I plug D is provided which; when removed, enahles the I intensifying oylinderv D? e to be eharged" or replenished with "liquid anaxialpassage Di iinlthe rod of the differ- 1- which passes intothe latter "cylinder through i entiali area piston D s and through lateral 7 holes D' XLQ AcceSsYto the'plng D is ob.

,refsultfof thefdecreasefin the length ,of the reooiljandfrun' out apparatus primarily; to'theproyision' of the hollow piston rod 1),?

, as j a -re'servoir for} storing fthe compressed air, the front pager-ti e" said apparatus 5 5 does not extend materially beyond the 111117;- zle of the gun. .The gun barrel. is comparatiYely short and has a long' recoiliiin' relation to thelength of the barrel as aforesaid. hat we claim and desire vto secure by Letters Patent of the United States ,is

1,. In ordnance recoil'and run-out apparatus for ordnance, thecombination with a pneumatic recuperator cylinder and a re-.

coil or brake cylinder the interior of which does not communicate with the interior of said recuperator cyinder, of a' piston working in said recoil or brake cylinder, av sep arate' piston working in said recuperator cylinder so as to compress the air therein during the recoil of the gun, and a rod 'of the latter piston made of large diameter and hollow to form a'reservoir of the required volume to store the compressed air, the an-from said recuperator cylinder-passing to'the interior of saidhollow piston rod durin'g the recoil ofthe gun and. returning :to said 'recuperato'r cylinder at the end of the recoil to act upon the second mentioned piston and effect the run-out of the gun.

' 2; In ordnance recoil and -runout apparat'u's, for ordnance, thecoinbinationiwith a pneumatic 'recuperatoncylinder and a recoil or brake cylinder'the interior of which doesnot communicate with the interior of said recuperator cylinder, of a piston which compresses the'airinsaidrecuperator cylin-' 'r derldurlnglthe recoil ofthe gun, afrod of said piston made of large diameter andhollow to form a reservolr of the required volume to store the compressed air, a valve between the recuperator cylinder and the interior of the hollow piston rod to permit free flow of air intothe latter during the recoil of the gun, and means whereby, duringthe run-out movement of the gun, Said valve permits theair to return slowly from the interior of the hollow piston rod to the recuperator cylinder.

3. In ordnance recoil andrun-out apparatus for ordnance, the combination with a pneumatic recuperator cylinder and a recoil or brake cylinder the interior of which does, not communicate with the interior of said recuperator cyl1nder,{of a piston which compresses the air insaid recuperator cylinder during the recoil of the gun, a rod of said piston made of large diameter and hollow to form a reservoir of the required volume to store the compressed air, a springcontrolled valve between the recuperator cylinder and the interior of the hollow pis ton' rod to permit free flow of air into the latter during the recoil of the'gun, and

means whereby, during the run-out movement of the gun, said spring-controlled valve permits the air'to return slowly from the interior of the hollow piston rod to the refuperator cylinder.

at. In ordnance recoil and run-out appara tus for. ordnance, the. combination with a pneumatic recuperator cylinder and a recoil or brake cylinder the interior of which doesnot' communicate with the interior of said recuperator cylinder, of a reciprocating member which compresses the air in the res cuperator cylinder during the recoil of the gun, a gland on said member, an intensify ing cylinder formed in said member, and a differential piston'the larger face of which is in communication v with the air in the re cuperator cylinder and the smaller face of which is in contact with liquid in said intensifyin'g cylinder, which liquid is thereby forced through a conduit into said gland at a higher pressure than the pressure of the" air in the recuperator cylinder.

5. In ordnance recoil and run-outapparatus for ordnance, the combination with a pneumatic recuperator cylinder and -a v recoil or brake cylinder the interior of which does not communicate with the interior of said recuperator cylinder, of a piston which compresses the air in said recuperator .cylinder during the recoil'of the gun, a rod of .said piston, a gland onsa-id piston, an intensifying cylinder formed in said piston rod close to the piston, and a differential piston the larger face o'fwhich is in com munication with the air in the recuperator cylinder and the smaller face of which isin contact with-vliquidin said intensifying cylinder, which liqu-id 'is thereby forced through a conduit into said gland at a higher pressure than the pressure of the air in the V recuperator cylinder.

6. In ordnance recoil and run-out appara tus for ordnance, the combination with a pneumatic recuperator cylinder and a recoil or brake cylinder, a body in which said cylinders are formed and an upwardly extending piece on said body constituting a thrust member against whichthe rear surface ofthe breech ring of the gun bears;

7. In ordnance recoiland run-out apparatus for ordnance, the combination'with a pneumatic recuperator cylinder and a req coil or brake cylinder, a body in which said cylinders are-formed, an upwardly extending piece on said body constituting a thrust m'ember against which the rear surface of body, upwardly extending lugson said body behind said band, and pins passingthrough saidlu'gs and band and'enterin'g holes in said body in frontof said band. r e r 9. In ordnance recoil and run-outapparatus for ordnance, the coinbination vith a pneumatic recuperator cylinder and a recoil or brake cylinder, a bod'yin which said cylinders are formed, an upwardly extending piece on said body, constituting a thrust ineinbcr against which'the rear surface of the breech ring or the gun bears, a portion of said body at the frontand' ari'anged'at a I higher level than the main partof said body' and a replenishing cylinder formed in said portion and communicating with the rear end of the recoil r brake cylinder.

10. In ordnance recoil: and run-out appa i'atus for ordnance, theconibination with a pneumatic recuperator cylinder and a recoil orbrake cylinden'a body in which said cyi inders are formed, an upwardly extending piece .on said body constituting a thrust member against which therear si r r'zce of the breech ring of the gun bears a portion ofsaid body'at the front cndarrangedet a higher level than the 'IllfllIiPflib of saidbody, tiyo intercoinniunica'ting replenishing cylinders formed in said portion s de'by side, and a conduit leading iliqu d-froin' one of these'two cylinders to the rear part of said recoil or brake cylinder.

p 11." In ordnance recoil and run-out apparatus for ordnance, the combination ith :1

pneumatic recuperator cylinder anda relcoil'or brake cylinder; tlieiinterior of which "does not coinin'unicate'with the interior of said-recuperator cylinder, a body in which said cylinders' are formed, an upwardly extending piece on said-body constituting a thrust member against which the-rear surface ofthe breech ring of the gun bears, a stat onary piston which compresses the air in said recuperator cylinder during the recoil of the gun, a r0d=of-sa1d piston, a portion of said body at the frontend arranged at a higher level than the main part of said body, two 'inte'rcoinmunicating replenishing cylinders formed in said portion sidelby side, a conduit-leadingliquidfrom one of these tWo cylinders t0 the rear part of said recoil or brake cylinder, :1 gland through Which'the front part of said recuperator piston rod *passes, an inten sifying cylinder formed in said liigher' body portion along side said'rcplenisl ing cylinders,' and fiffili ferential piston in said intensifying cylinder, the larger face of this differential-pis ton beingin communication with the" air -in therecuperator cylinder and the'snialler face being in COUtELClTVltll liquid inssaid intensil yingcylinder soth'at this liquid lS',fOICd' into said gland at'a higherpressuretha n the i pressure of the air in. the recuperator cylin den I I ARTHUR TREVOR'DAVVSON.

'GEQRGE THOMAS BUCKH AM, 

